Restarting Super Rugby is the easy part. If only rescheduling a wedding was as simple as running back on to Canberra Stadium on Saturday.
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A group of ACT Brumbies lost more than a few weeks of game time when their season was shutdown in March. They had hoped to use their time off to get married, but table settings and suits will be bushed aside to focus on Australian rugby's relaunch this weekend.
The Brumbies will play the Melbourne Rebels in a new season-opener, with Australian sides to battle every week in a 12-week competition.
This weekend should have been the start of Lachlan McCaffrey's honeymoon, coronavirus forcing the back-rower and fiancee Tash to cancel their June 26 wedding. Housemate Allan Alaalatoa and lock Murray Douglas were also planning to marry their partners this year.
But in a cruel twist, McCaffrey had to train at Brumbies headquarters on what was supposed to be his wedding day and his honeymoon is now a fast-paced Australian competition.
The break and the change of plans has done little to diminish the Brumbies' desire for success. They were on track for a superb season when they won five of the first six games of the year, but all of that counts for nothing when they play the Rebels.
"I can't complain. It gives me a bit more time to relax ... a lot of people out there are losing businesses and are a lot worse off than having to rearrange a wedding," McCaffrey said. "Or even just miss out on a little bit of footy. As a whole, everyone's just excited to get back into it. All Aussie derbies are tough and physical ... we just want to start with a win."
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The Super Rugby AU competition will be launched on Wednesday before the NSW Waratahs play the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Friday night.
The Brumbies will host the Rebels, who have relocated to Canberra after being forced to leave Melbourne early following a spike in coronavirus cases.
McCaffrey is locked in a tense battle for back-row spots, competing with Will Miller, Pete Samu, Tom Cusack and Rob Valetini for a spot in the starting side.
"There's definitely a buzz around the place. Training has lifted ... there's nothing like turning up on a Monday morning when you've got another Aussie conference game coming up. Everyone's excited to rip in," McCaffrey said.
"It's a bit of relief for the rugby community in Australia. Kids want to get back and play club footy ... it's been a tough few months but I think supporters and players are excited to be back."
Fullback Tom Banks is in danger of missing the game after his delayed return from a foot injury, paving the way for Mack Hansen to slot into the fullback role.
Wing selection will be hotly contested, with Andy Muirhead, Tom Wright and Solomone Kata battling for the two positions.
"The last two weeks our training has been pretty intense and everyone has been putting their hands up," Muirhead said.
"I'm sure the coaches have some tough decisions to make, but it's a good position to be in. We've got some unreal outside backs ... it's about putting your best foot forward at training."
The Brumbies have lost four of their past five regular-season games against the Rebels.
SUPER RUGBY AU ROUND ONE
Saturday: ACT Brumbies v Melbourne Rebels at Canberra Stadium, 7.15pm